Best Movies Coming to Amazon Prime in July 2023
Prime Video is absolutely dominating this month with its new releases. There are countless incredible movies making their way to the streaming platform, making it the go-to destination for movie lovers in July. Today’s featured video is “Secret Invasion: How The Blip SHOOK Nick Fury.” Are you ready to find out how much the blip has changed him? Well, the talented actor Samuel L. Jackson is here to answer all your questions.
This month offers a wide variety of films, ranging from comedies to psychological thrillers that will keep you guessing until the very end. All of these movies are truly extraordinary. However, Prime Video has even more to offer than what we can mention in this article. But here, we will highlight just a few of the absolute best.
First up, we have “Cool Hand Luke” (July 1) from Warner Bros.-Seven Arts. If you only have time to watch one movie from this list, make it this one. Despite being an older film, it is undeniably the greatest movie about prison life ever made. You might argue that “Shawshank Redemption” holds that title, and yes, it is also coming to Prime Video this month. However, “Cool Hand Luke” offers a different perspective. It doesn’t have the fairy tale aspect of an unjustly imprisoned man seeking justice. Instead, it tells the story of a man who rightfully ended up in prison and struggles to adapt to life behind bars. He rebels against the system, constantly challenging it with a mischievous smile on his face. The movie doesn’t rely on extravagant moments but rather focuses on Luke’s journey of finding ways to pass the time. The realistic cinematography allows you to feel the rough cotton sheets and the scorching sun that the prisoners endure during the day. Open your mind to this captivating film that captures the essence of prison life.
Next, we have “Legally Blonde” (July 1) from Metro-Goldwyn Mayer. If you can watch two movies from this list, make this your second choice. The film revolves around Elle Woods (Reese Witherspoon), a heartbroken sorority queen who decides to pursue a law degree to impress her ex-boyfriend. Despite society’s perception of her as a ditzy blonde, Elle proves that she is incredibly intelligent when she sets her mind to something. This movie goes beyond the typical dumb blonde jokes and showcases the power of dedication. It even evolves into a trial case that Elle must win. “Legally Blonde” challenges stereotypes and offers a thoroughly entertaining and well-written comedy. Movies need more characters like Elle Woods.
Moving on, we have “No Country for Old Men” (July 1) from Paramount Pictures. This film, based on Cormac McCarthy’s novel, is considered the most successful adaptation of his work. It is set in the 80s and has a Western vibe. The story begins with the discovery of a failed drug deal and a large sum of money left unclaimed. Llewelyn Moss (Josh Brolin) stumbles upon this fortune and realizes he has hit the jackpot. However, things take a turn when a ruthless hitman is hired to hunt him down and retrieve the money. The only hope for justice lies with an old and outmatched cop. This thrilling masterpiece is filled with action, narrow escapes, and the signature strangeness that the Coen brothers are known for.
Now, let’s not forget about animated films. “The Iron Giant” (July 1) from Warner Bros. is a must-watch classic. This film is a certified gem that you may have enjoyed as a kid, but it’s worth revisiting as an adult. The story follows a teenager who encounters a giant metal robot that crash-landed from outer space. Instead of being a threat, the robot is more like a big, friendly dog with simple intelligence and a warm smile. However, the army becomes interested in the robot, leading to an action-packed climax. Throughout the film, you’ll experience laughter, touching moments, and breathtaking 2D animation with a nostalgic 1960s style. This movie represents one of the last American 2D animation films funded by a major studio before the style fell out of favor. Don’t miss the chance to watch or rewatch this timeless classic.
Lastly, we have “Gladiator” (July 1) from Universal Pictures. This phenomenal film tells the story of Russell Crowe seeking vengeance for his family during the decline of Rome’s power. However, the standout performance comes from Joaquin Phoenix as the deranged Emperor Commodus. Phoenix’s talent shines through, as always, captivating the audience with his portrayal of a deeply disturbed character. If you enjoy this film, be on the lookout for the upcoming sequel.
Make sure to tune in to Prime Video this month to catch all these incredible movies and more.
Prime Video is absolutely killing it this month with the releases. There’s only so many words to talk about the fantastic movies that are coming to the streaming platform here, but this is the place to be if you want to watch a good movie in July.
You’ve got a little bit of everything this month, from comedy to psychological thrillers where you don’t know which way they’ll end up. All of these are truly fantastic films. Prime Video has even more on offer than this article can contain that’s definitely worth your attention, but here, we highlight just a few of the best.
Cool Hand Luke (July 1)
If you only watch one movie on this list, make it this one. While an older film, this is quite possibly the best movie about being in prison that’s ever been made. But Shawshank Redemptionyou might say! That’s also coming to Prime Video this month, and everyone knows about the top-rated movie on IMDb, however many years running.
But what makes this movie worth a watch compared to that? For starters, it doesn’t feel like it has that fairy tale aspect to it of a man who’ll get justice in the end. This is the tale of a man who deservedly went to prison for something stupid and did not adjust well to life there. He’s something of a rebel and lives to upset the system, if only for a while.
The movie doesn’t have big spectacle moments. Instead, the plot involves Luke (Paul Newman) trying to find new ways to pass the time he has left in prison. He gets into crazy bets with his friends, messes with the prison guard, and even tries to escape a few times, all with a broad smile on his face as he tries to take on life with some misplaced optimism.
The way the movie is shot as well has so much realism to it where you can almost feel the rough cotton sheets the men are forced to sleep on as well as the blinding sun that they have to work under during the daytime. Broaden your horizons and see the film that defines what it means to be a story about prison life.
Legally Blonde (July 1)
If you only watch two movies on this list, make this your other one. It stars a heartbroken sorority queen named Elle Woods (Reese Witherspoon) who decides she’s going to go to law school in a desperate bid to impress the boyfriend who dumped her. While she appears to be something of a dunce with her bubbly personality and fashion marketing degree, what sets her apart is that she’s actually incredibly smart when she sets her mind to something.
Rather than making easy dumb blonde jokes, the movie takes every opportunity to highlight how much her dedication pays off for her. Appearances are deceiving, and that’s such a credit to this movie, where she could’ve been a very one-note dolt. Instead, it’s a competently written comedy that even evolves into a trial case she has to win. Movies could use more characters like Elle Woods.
No Country for Old Men (July 1)
The most successful and widely known Cormac McCarthy adaptation to date. This one is timely for Prime Video, given the author’s recent death. It’s a lot like a Western set in the 80s. It opens with the discovery of a drug deal gone wrong, and a lot of money left without an owner.
So when Llewelyn Moss (Josh Brolin) finds all this, he knows he’s struck gold if he can just get away clean. The mob hires a hitman with no regard for human life to hunt him and the cash as a wrinkle, and the only cop who can maybe bring justice to the situation is old and hopelessly outmatched by this new generation’s evil. A true masterpiece of a thriller filled with action, narrow escapes, ingenuity, and the Coen brothers’ trademark weirdness.
The Iron Giant (July 1)
No list of the month would be complete without an animated film, and this one happens to be a certified classic among classics. It’s the rare film you (hopefully) watched as a kid, and can now discover how it wasn’t just nostalgia telling you how marvelous it was. For those not aware, though, the premise is pretty straightforward as a teenager finds a giant metal robot that crash-landed from outer space. Rather than being threatening, he’s sort of like a really big dog with pretty simple intelligence and a regular smile.
Now, of course, the army is interested in acquiring or destroying something they don’t really understand, so the film escalates from simple to rather action-packed near the end. But throughout the film, you have room for a lot of laughs, some touching moments, and some of the most gorgeous 2D animation you’ve ever seen, wrapped in a 1960s style.
This is one of the final American 2D animation films that got bankrolled by a big studio and was sadly part of the wave of poor box office releases that led to the style largely being canned. It wouldn’t stop director Brad Bird though from going on to head up The Incredibles just a few years later. If you haven’t seen it, now is the time. If you have seen it, it’s time for a refresher.
Gladiator (July 1)
A fantastic movie about Russell Crowe getting vengeance for his family in the final years of Rome’s place as a world power. The film is most memorable, though, for giving Joaquin Phoenix his first chance to blow everyone away with his performance as the utterly demented Emperor Commodus. It shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone that this man always turns out when he’s in a movie. If you like the film, there is a sequel on the way.
